NIC selects new Trades and Industry division chair

North Idaho College recently selected Maintenance Mechanic/Millwright Instructor Jim Cultra as the new chair of the Trades and Industry Division.

Cultra will begin his new position July 15 upon the retirement of the current chair Walt Carlson, who has worked at NIC for 26 years.

|photo1|Cultra began at NIC as the head of the Maintenance Mechanic/Millwright program in 1984. He worked in industry for 15 years prior to his teaching career as a plant mechanic, machine designer and welder fabricator.

“I've worked in the industry and trained students for industrial work for years and am very familiar with the benefits and challenges of Trades and Industry programs,” Cultra said.

Cultra said the programs in the Trades and Industry Division are constantly changing with new technology and increased workforce demands, which is why the involvement of trades professionals that sit on advisory committees is crucial.

“I hope to continue advocacy for Trades and Industry programs and create an awareness in the community for the changing needs of these programs,” Cultra said. “Maintaining connections with those in the industry is important to meet the demands of employers and to stay on the edge of emerging technologies.”

NIC has begun the hiring process for an instructor to fill the vacancy in the 11-month Maintenance Mechanic/Millwright program.

Space is still available in many Trades and Industry programs for fall semester, including the two newly-established programs Landscape Technology and Outdoor Power/Recreational Vehicle Technology.